BBC College of Journalism Blog - A vigorous and robust discussion about journalism from every perspective.

In his blog, Barling's London, BBC London special correspondent Kurt Barling talks to lawyer Thelma Stober, a survivor of the terror attack and, coincidentally, a legal adviser to the 2012 bid. 

Thelma describes how she thought her mobile phone had caused the explosion because she was sending a text message at the time. She also speaks about her continuous struggle for help during her recovery and resentment at having to justify herself as a victim of the disaster. Thelma lost the lower part of one leg.

Barling writes: "Unbelievably, it was expected that she would be satisfied with a white-coloured limb. Thelma is from Sierra Leone and wanted, as she puts it, her two legs to match."

Thelma says she is lucky to be alive and does not direct her anger at the bombers, but at the people behind them.

So, as Barling asks, where were you when the bombs went off? The inevitable query after a major breaking news story, like 9/11 or the death of Princess Diana. The blog comments, including some from Tube workers, are a reminder that the tragedy of the bombings was felt by the whole country.

Barling was in Africa on July 7th, filming a report for BBC London on fair trade coffee. Bad timing for him; London is his patch after all. As for me, I should've been on the Tube on that fateful morning, but instead I was given a lift to work by my uncharacteristically energetic significant other. So it's his belief to this day that he saved my life.